Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2484 - 2420: Are We Driving Her Away?

"I overheard folks outside claiming that our household is gearing up for a wedding between Xiao Liu and Shuangshuang?"

"Indeed, Uncle. That's the buzz circulating among the townsfolk. I stopped by the embroidery store earlier today and caught our shop's own employees chattering about it, prompting me to hurry back and fill you in."

The voice belonged to Jiang Qiuyan, eldest daughter of Second Master Jiang, an aunt figure to Jiang Liu as well.

Clad in a sapphire-blue cheongsam with her hair impeccably arranged, she positioned herself before Old Master Jiang, hands delicately folded, her expression shadowed by profound worry.

Noticing Old Master Jiang's silence after her revelation, she pressed on: "Uncle, what exactly did Xiao Liu tell you? Is he truly unwilling to wed Shuangshuang? Surely there's a valid reason behind this; without one, how do we face the Lu Family? Moreover, Shuangshuang is utterly blameless."

Deep down, Old Master Jiang harbored a strong affection for Lu Shuangshuang.

Yet, he struggled to oppose Ah Liu, the grandson he had only just welcomed back into the fold.

The day before, Ah Liu had revealed to him the secret cancellation of his betrothal to Lu Shuangshuang from years past. Though the events of that time lingered in ambiguity, it could well be that Xiao Fu's missive was a forgery, and Lu Shuangshuang had neither consented to the split nor surrendered the engagement tokens.

Alternatively, the letter might have been genuine, with circumstances unfolding precisely as outlined within it.

Thus, until the facts came to light, he deemed it imprudent to compel Ah Liu into matrimony. Should Xiao Fu's account prove accurate, Lu Shuangshuang would emerge as a profoundly duplicitous figure.

How could he possibly allow Ah Liu to bind himself to such a woman?

If Xiao Fu's words rang true, the depths of Lu Shuangshuang's deception would chill the blood.

Over those two decades, her facade had been flawless, betraying no cracks to the world.

Even the mere contemplation of this scenario sent a shiver through Old Master Jiang.

Regardless, unearthing the truth remained paramount, come what may.

For this cause, Old Master Jiang now regarded Lu Shuangshuang with heightened wariness and reserve, harboring some irritation at her choice to linger with the Jiang household amid this pivotal juncture rather than retreating to her own family.

With Jiang Liu's homecoming, she had chosen to remain under the Jiang roof.

In light of these developments, the whispers from outsiders were hardly surprising.

Upon hearing Jiang Qiuyan's assurance that Lu Shuangshuang bore no faults, Old Master Jiang reflected inwardly: hadn't he once shared that very conviction?

Why resist the match? In what way was she deficient?

None apparent, yet now the very flawlessness struck him as profoundly suspicious.

When the mishap befell Xiao Liu, Lu Shuangshuang was merely sixteen, nearing seventeen, yet from that moment forward, her conduct remained impeccably poised.

Certainly, daughters of great aristocratic lineages receive rigorous upbringing from childhood, but given her youth, a slip in decorum during such a calamity would have been forgivable—even he had grappled with his own composure.

Nevertheless, while Lu Shuangshuang grieved deeply back then, her every gesture and reply stayed perfectly measured.

With these thoughts swirling, Old Master Jiang turned to Jiang Qiuyan: "Pay her a visit and convey that these past days have been taxing for her. Now that Xiao Liu is returned, numerous matters await resolution. Inquire gently if she might prefer heading home for now, and mind your wording closely."

Jiang Qiuyan froze: "Uncle, regardless of how I say it, won't Shuangshuang realize we're essentially urging her to depart?"

How could such a thing be allowed?

The Jiang Family had long been proclaimed as Lu Shuangshuang's secondary home. Through all these years, she had come and gone at will, lingering as she pleased; never once had she been prompted to leave."